There is a ban on comedy flyering in Leicester Square. Westminster Council has decided that flyers are litter and that the flyerers — usually anxious baby comedians – ‘harass’ the tourists. This is ridiculous. Most comedians would scream at their own reflection in a pint. Even so, if the council finds any flyers it will remove the venue’s licence. As if comedians did not have enough woes — manic depression, calm depression, depression that is not really depression but suppressed rage, poor rates of pay, joke theft, Frankie Boyle — their solitary reason for living, which is attention, is now at threat.
And this from a council that lets Hollywood premières clog up the Square (all long lines of glassy limos and stupid actors waving) and allows the Spearmint Rhino lap-dancing club on Tottenham Court Road to stay in business when even liberals think it should be firebombed.
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